For Hemraj’s family, order is a ray of hope

There is one family in Nepal that is extremely happy with the Noida CBI court order of framing charges against the dentist couple. After years of uncertainty and despair, Hemraj’s family, comprising his wife Khum Kala (44), son Prajal (16) and mother Krishna Kala (81), now see a ray of hope. Utpal Parashar reports.

There is one family in Nepal that is extremely happy with the Noida CBI court order of framing charges against the dentist couple. After years of uncertainty and despair, Hemraj’s family, comprising his wife Khum Kala (44), son Prajal (16) and mother Krishna Kala (81), now see a ray of hope.

The family of three living in a remote village of Dharapani in Arghakhanchi district, about 400km southwest of Kathmandu, was unaware of the court’s order till HT called them up. It was then that they expressed faith in the Indian judicial system.

“Nothing much happened in the past four years. The court’s order has given us fresh hope for justice,” Khum Kala told HT over the phone.

Struggling since her husband Hemraj Banjade’s murder, the 44-year-old hasn’t kept track of the minute details of the case. But she does believe that Talwars played a role in both the murders. Khum Kala says Hemraj had told them about the doctor’s short temper and how he used to get very angry at minor things. Hemraj had died five months later.

“My husband is no more and they are the ones responsible. They should be given the most stringent of punishment or we all should be given poison,” Khum Kala said.

With no income, the family is living in miserable conditions. Prajal suffers from allergic asthmatic bronchitis, Khum Kala needs to get her right hand operated and Krishna Kala too needs medical attention, given her old age.

When Hemraj was alive, he used to send them nearly Rs 2-3,000 every month. Now Khum Kala has to depend on her brother and Noida-based son-in-law Jeevan Sharma to make ends meet. “The Talwars never bothered to inquire about Hemraj’s family. Even if they give them a day’s amount they have spent on lawyers, it would sustain the family for months," said Jeevan.

Last year, Khum Kala had shared with HT her suspicions about the couple’s involvement in the twin murders. “They are rich people and could have influenced investigation at the initial stage,” she had said.